Take Control of Your Care.

Spotlight on Your Treatment Plan

If you've been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), seeing a rheumatologist is recommended.

Rheumatologists are doctors who help diagnose and treat patients with diseases of the joints, muscles, bones, and immune system and are most qualified to treat patients with RA. Beyond expertise, it’s important that you and your doctor can discuss your treatment plan.

Do you see a primary care doctor or rheumatologist for your RA symptoms?

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Primary care doctor

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Rheumatologist

A rheumatologist is the best-prepared doctor to treat moderate to severe RA and will be most aware of potential treatment options for you. If you’re still seeing a primary care physician, ask for a referral to a rheumatologist.

Make sure your doctor knows what you’re experiencing.

It’s important for you to help your doctor understand what you’re experiencing so he or she can develop the right treatment plan for you.

And keeping track of your symptoms over time can help you and your doctor understand how your treatment plan is working.

Be as specific as you can be about how your RA symptoms impact your daily life. For instance:

Give examples of activities that may be getting more difficult or easier for you to do, like: